We, the parish of Sacred Heart, are committed to enriching the Spirituality of the parish family, the Christian community, and all brothers and sisters created in God's divine image and likeness.  We are called by the Holy Spirit, under the leadership of our Bishop and Pastor, to assist others through the development and promotion of various ministries.  We pray for Divine guidance that we may serve others with truth, courage, forethought, and compassion.

You can now donate/tithe/contribute online towards the needs of our church.
Please visit our online-giving page at the top bar of this page.

HAPPY 25TH ANNIVERSARY


 

  
[letter to be read at all weekend Masses – Feast of Corpus Christi – June 6, 2021]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

            This weekend marks the annual Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally called “Corpus Christi Sunday.”  Most of our sermons throughout the diocese will center on the mystery of the Lord’s Body and Blood.  Some parishes will undertake a traditional procession with the Eucharist, others will hold “Holy Hours” in addition to the Celebration of the Sunday Eucharist.
            Throughout the history of the Catholic Church there have been numerous other practices that draw our attention to the source and summit of our faith, namely the Body and Blood of Jesus.  Miraculous events have taken place in our history that reference the Eucharist.  Our liturgical tradition is full of hymns that lift us up in prayer and praise of the same.
            Last month I convened the priests of the Diocese to discuss, among other topics, Eucharistic adoration.  Such is an ancient and revered practice in the Church at which time is set aside in parish Churches for regular adoration of the Eucharist.  I come from a parish where we had Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration 24/7 since 2003. Because of the size of that parish, there were sufficient number of parish members who could “man” the hours of adoration.  Some parishes would only be able to do this daily, after their morning Mass; others would dedicate one day of the week when the Eucharist would be exposed in the Church, and the faithful would visit for prayer.  Sometimes the number of faithful attending would be large; in smaller parishes, a lesser number – but every parish in the diocese would be encouraged to structure adoration. 
            One of the questions some people ask is “why perpetual adoration?”  Well, there is always a purpose to prayer, and other than the Mass itself, no better form of prayer than praying before the Eucharist.  With this letter to you, I am asking each parish to gather some volunteers to structure perpetual adoration in their parish.  There seems like no better time to begin such a practice than today, Corpus Christi Sunday.
            Just suggesting that each parish begin this practice is probably not enough incentive.  So, I want you to know of the personal experience I had as a pastor in Little Rock.  Christ the King parish – almost 50 years old at the time, and with a membership of 2,000 families – had NO vocations to the priesthood.  Within six months of beginning Eucharistic Adoration, one of our members signed up for the seminary.  Now, “Father Andrew Hart” has been a priest for almost ten years.  With each succeeding year, more young men entered the seminary from the parish.  To date, with the continuance of Perpetual adoration, Christ the King parish has produced eight priests, with an additional three new seminarians. 
            The Diocese of Shreveport is in desperate need of priests. Without new vocations, some of parishes are at risk of not having a priest to serve their needs.
Thus, I am asking each pastor and each congregation to try a proven way to God granting our prayers for more young men to consider the call to the Altar.  Will you help?  Can you help your pastor take the initiative to begin and sustain perpetual Eucharistic adoration?
            This is something we can do together, and I am convinced that our devotion to the Eucharistic Lord will result in new vocations.  Lastly, never be reluctant to ask a young man if the Lord is calling Him. 
            Let me hear from you about your plans, and then, very soon, about a young man from your parish who is saying “yes” to the Lord.

                                                Sincerely yours in Christ,

                                            + Francis I. Malone, D.D., J.C.L.
                                               Bishop of Shreveport

 

Sacred Heart has a Saturday evening mass beginning at 4:00 pm. In addition, our Sunday morning mass is at 9:00 am. During the weekday we only have one Mass at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays.  Confession is every Wednesday after the 9:00 am Mass in the Rectory.  

The Saturday evening mass and Sunday Mass is livecast on Sacred Heart Facebook Page.

THE HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTION FOR THE YEAR 2021

THE HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS ENTRUSTED TO HIS WORLDWIDE PRAYER NETWORK FOR THE YEAR 2021

JANUARY:  Intention for evangelization - Human fraternity
May the Lord give us the grace to live in full fellowship with our brothers and sisters of other religions, praying for one another, open to all.

FEBRUARY:  Universal intention - Violence against women
We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.

MARCH:  Intention for evangelization - Sacrament of reconciliation
Let us pray that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of God.

APRIL:  Universal intention - Fundamental rights
We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis.

MAY:  Universal intention - The world of finance
Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.

JUNE:  Intention for evangelization - The beauty of marriage
Let us pray for young people who are preparing for marriage with the support of a Christian community: may they grow in love, with generosity, faithfulness and patience.

JULY:  Universal intention - Social friendship
We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.

AUGUST:  Intention for evangelization - The Church
Let us pray for the Church, that She may receive from the Holy Spirit the grace and strength to reform herself in the light of the Gospel.

SEPTEMBER:  Universal intention - An environmentally sustainable lifestyle
We pray that we all will make courageous choices for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle, rejoicing in our young people who are resolutely committed to this.

OCTOBER:  Intention for evangelization - Missionary disciples
We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavour of the Gospel.

NOVEMBER:  Universal intention - People who suffer from depression
We pray that people who suffer from depression or burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life.

DECEMBER:  Intention for evangelization - Catechists
Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Vatican, 31st January 2020
Francis
Original : Italian

Plenary Indulgences Available for the Year of Saint Joseph
The Apostolic Penitentiary issued a decree on December 8, 2020, formally announcing the decision of Pope Francis to celebrate the Year of Saint Joseph through December 8, 2021. Special opportunities to receive a plenary indulgence were also included, subject to the usual conditions: sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Pope, and total detachment to all sin, including venial sin.
 
Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Holy See made provision in its decree that persons who are currently unable to go to Mass or confession because of public health restrictions may defer reception of those two sacraments until they are able to do so. Those who are sick, suffering, or homebound may also receive the plenary indulgence by fulfilling as much as they are able and by offering their sorrows and sufferings to God through Saint Joseph, consoler of the sick and patron saint for receiving a good death.
 

The following prayers and activities have been enriched with a plenary indulgence:
• meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”) or participate in a spiritual retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on Saint Joseph;
• perform a corporal or spiritual work of mercy, inspired by the life and example of Saint Joseph;
• pray the Rosary together as a family or a couple, modeling the virtues of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph;
• dedicate with confidence their daily work to the protection of Saint Joseph the Worker, including the efforts of those who are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking more dignified work;
• devoutly recite the Litany of Saint Joseph (from the Latin Church; available at USCCB.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/litanies/litany-of-saint-joseph),1 some or all of the Akathistos hymn to Saint Joseph (from the Byzantine Churches), or another suitable prayer in each liturgical tradition, especially for the intentions of persecuted Catholics in the Church and around the world, and for the relief of all Christians who suffer persecution; or
• devoutly recite an another approved prayer to Saint Joseph, for example the “To you, O blessed Joseph” (available at USCCB.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/prayer-to-st-joseph-after-rosary),2 especially on various feasts of Saint Joseph: March 19 (his solemnity), May 1 (St. Joseph the Worker), the Sunday after Christmas (Holy Family), St. Joseph’s Sunday (Byzantine Catholics), or on the 19th day of each month, or each Wednesday, traditionally dedicated to honor his memory with pious devotions.
 
To assist the faithful, the final page of the (attached) Newsletter includes several prayers for Saint Joseph drawn from approved sources, including the recent Apostolic Letter Patris Corde by Pope Francis, and the Roman Missal.

 ____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

After Wed. Morning Mass and
by Appointment (Except Mondays)

Location:
4736 Lyba Street
Shreveport, LA   71109-0467

Postal Mail:
4736 Lyba Street
Shreveport, LA   71109-0467

Rectory:            318-635-2121
Church:             318-635-2121
Fax:                  318-635-5226
Gabriel Hall:     318-635-5446